As the NFL draft approaches, a group of us from the Footballguys staff gathered to talk some defense. We participated in a two-round, pre-draft, IDP-only mock draft, highlighting some of the emerging IDP talent in this year’s rookie class. A big shout-out to Sigmund Bloom, Joseph Haggan, Tripp Brebner, Aaron Rudnicki, Gary Davenport, and Matt Montgomery for joining me in this fun exercise.
This IDP-only rookie mock is based on a 14-team true-position format, starting at least two players at each position, plus an additional IDP flex. The positions are all broken out individually in your starting lineup:
- Edge Rusher (EDGE)
- Defensive Tackle (DT)
- Linebacker (LB)
- Cornerback (CB)
- Safety (S)
This is the pre-draft version, and we plan to meet again for a post-draft version to evaluate how things have changed. With landing spots and draft capital taken into account, expect a shakeup. Alright, let’s get to it!
Round 1
1.01 - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Davenport: Styles is an athletic freak who is a converted safety. Size. Range. Coverage ability. The 6'4", 243-pounder has it all--and the makings of a top-10 IDP linebacker for years to come.
1.02 - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Haggan: I’m torn on my overall IDP1 in this draft between Bailey and Styles. With Styles first off the board, Bailey is the easy pick. The closer we get to the draft, the more I love Bailey. He has the size, speed, athleticism, production, and one of the most complete arrays of counters we've seen from a man his age. Add the fact that he is a near-top-5 locked-in draft selection, and he should see playing time right away.
1.03 - Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Rudnicki: The main question is where he fits as a pro. He should be ready to contribute on Day 1 as an off-ball linebacker with potential to line up as an edge rusher in passing situations. He's multi-dimensional, and that should help keep him on the field in all situations.
1.04 - Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Bloom: Hill will be a cornerstone and leader of the defense wherever he lands. His size/athleticism combination is ideal, and his well-rounded skillset means he won't have to come off the field.
1.05 - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Brebner: UGA's defense has prepared Allen to play right away. He must develop quickly as a coverage linebacker to earn a full-time role, which could happen later in the 2026 season.
1.06 - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami
Montgomery: The upside of getting Bain at 1.06 is too great for me to risk. I completely understand the skepticism about his potential NFL career, but the seductiveness of getting a player who will challenge as the class's best edge rusher at the 6th spot is too great to pass up.
1.07 - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Bellefeuil: I typically don’t go after defensive backs early in drafts; however, Caleb Downs is a player worth shifting gears for. Downs has the profile we look for in our safeties for IDP purposes, as a versatile player who can come up and set the tone as a run defender. His profile, skill set, and draft capital project Downs as a top safety asset for years to come.
1.08 - Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Davenport: Golday is a converted edge rusher who has an intriguing blend of size (6'4, 240 pounds), range, and athleticism. His lack of experience playing off-ball LB could mean a bit of a learning curve, but he has the skill set to be a three-down LB in the pros.
1.09 - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Haggan: Mesidor has quietly crept up my edge rankings. I thought his age would be a deterrent to many teams, though he is consistently being mocked in the first round of the draft. Mesidor is not lights out at anything, but is a capable run defender and an above-average pass rusher. Though he lacks the athleticism of these other edge prospects, he led the team in sacks despite the presence of Rueben Bain Jr.
1.10 - Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Rudnicki: Rodriguez is slightly undersized but makes up for it with his instincts and aggressive play style. He can chase down plays all over the field and should fill up the stat sheet with tackles and takeaways as a 3-down option early in his career.
1.11 - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Bloom: McNeil-Warren is a classic in the box safety who is good enough in coverage (as long as he doesn't get in a footrace) to give a defense flexibility to defend the run and pass in base personnel. He could give an IDP team linebacker production in a safety/DB lineup spot.
1.12 - Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
Brebner: Josiah is just the latest member of the Trotter family looking to make an impact in the NFL. Still only 20, Josiah has more upside than his brother, Jeremiah, and is best considered a candidate to earn a significant role in 2027 if he's drafted on Day 2, as expected this spring.
1.13 - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Montgomery: Sometimes you just gotta draft traits, and that's exactly what I did here with Faulk. At 6'6" and 276 pounds, Faulk is easily one of the biggest players at edge rusher in this class and has the athleticism to be a big-time player in the NFL. Prototype draft picks early may seem very boom or bust, but when they hit, they can change how your IDP team is constructed moving forward.
1.14 - Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Bellefeuil: At 6'0" and 220 pounds, Kyle Louis is on the smaller side for the linebacker position. However, his speed, range, and coverage ability fit today’s game very well. While Louis is smaller in stature, he’s a sound tackler and is a feisty blitzer who has a knack for splash plays. Should Louis find a soft day two landing spot on draft day, he could push for playing time early as a nickel defender.
